Every year, about 440,000 people in the United States lose their lives to diseases caused by smoking. Despite that staggering figure, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 45.8 million adults in the United States were current smokers in 2002. About half of all individuals who are currently smokers will die because of the habit.
American Indians/Alaska natives are the heaviest users at 40.8 percent, followed by whites at 23.6 percent, African Americans at 22.4 percent, Hispanics at 16.7 percent and Asian Americans at 13.3 percent.
While the number of child and teenage smokers has been declining in the last decade, young people are still smoking as much or more than adults. Each day, more than 4,000 teens light their first cigarette and another 2,000 become habitual smokers.
Separating facts from misconceptions about smoking is important in order to be successful in breaking the smoking habit. This short quiz will help determine how up to date you are on the subject.
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Carbon dioxide is exhaled with every breath.
True
False
Correct! This natural waste by-product cannot be fully released when lungs become damaged by smoking.
Incorrect. This natural waste by-product cannot be fully released when lungs become damaged by smoking.
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Nicotine is an addictive drug.
True
False
Correct! Similar to heroin and cocaine, nicotine is habit- forming and creates dependence in its users.
Incorrect. Similar to heroin and cocaine, nicotine is habit- forming and creates dependence in its users.
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Smoking cigars, pipes or low-tar cigarettes is less damaging to a person's health than regular cigarettes.
True
False
Incorrect.These products are not safer substitutes.
Correct! These products are not safer substitutes.
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Smoking is a depressant.
True
False
Correct! Nicotine interrupts information traveling between nerve cells.
Incorrect. Nicotine interrupts information traveling between nerve cells.
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A pack-a-day smoker is twice as likely to develop lung cancer as a non-smoker.
True
False
Incorrect. Smoking a pack a day makes the user twenty times more likely to suffer lung cancer.
Correct! Smoking a pack a day makes the user twenty times more likely to suffer lung cancer.
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While smoking is detrimental to the health of a pregnant woman, it does not harm the fetus.
True
False
Incorrect. Infants born to women who smoke are more likely to have a low birth weight and to develop respiratory problems.
Correct! Infants born to women who smoke are more likely to have a low birth weight and to develop respiratory problems.
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Exercising regularly is a helpful tactic when trying to quit smoking.
True
False
Correct! Physical activity reduces the stress that can accompany the process of breaking the smoking habit. It can also reduce weight gain.
Incorrect. Physical activity reduces the stress that can accompany the process of breaking the smoking habit. It can also reduce weight gain.
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On average, smokers are able to quit after two determined attempts.
True
False
Incorrect. More often, quitting can take many more attempts. Persons trying to kick the habit should not give up.
Correct! More often, quitting can take many more attempts. Persons trying to kick the habit should not give up.
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For heavy smokers particularly, quitting may not do any good since the damage has already been done.
True
False
Incorrect. Health benefits begin to accrue within twenty minutes of quitting. Within a few years of quitting, the risk of heart disease is similar to that of a non-smoker.
Correct! Health benefits begin to accrue within twenty minutes of quitting. Within a few years of quitting, the risk of heart disease is similar to that of a non-smoker.
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Nicotine replacement products are not much help.
True
False
Incorrect. Patches, gum, lozenges and nasal spray can help in gradually weaning a smoker from the craving for nicotine.
Correct! Patches, gum, lozenges and nasal spray can help in gradually weaning a smoker from the craving for nicotine.
For more information on women's health matters, any of the programs and services listed, or a referral to a Cedars-Sinai physician or program, call 1-800-CEDARS-1 (1-800-233-2771)
